Homemade Himalayan Sprinkled Chocolate Granola (DF, GF, & refined sugar-free)

My family and I go crazy over my homemade granola.  When you add our love of chocolate into the mix, it reaches addiction.  Yes, this dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free chocolate granola is just that good.

Chocolately, perfectly sweetened, and balanced with some Himalayan salt, this chocolate granola puts store-bought ones to shame.  What I love most about this granola is that you can dress it up and down.  Want to make it more like a dessert?  Add in some dark chocolate chips.  Want to make it heartier?  Throw in some hemp seeds for extra protein.

Besides this chocolate granola’s mind-blowing taste, what really makes it superior are its ingredients.  Let’s check them out!

  • Cocoa vs. Cacao: You’re probably thinking, Aren’t those the same things?  I was equally as confused.  However, cocoa is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans, keeping the enzymes and removing the fat (cacao butter).  It’s supposedly healthier than cacao, which has been roasted at high temperatures, therefore denaturing the enzymes.
  • Chia seeds: They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help raise the “good” cholesterol HDL, fight inflammation, and lower blood pressure.  Chia seeds are high in linoleic acid, a fatty acid that helps the body absorb fat-soluble A, D, E, and K.
  • Pumpkin seeds:  These seeds have high levels of magnesium, which contributes to the creation of ATP (energy molecules in your body).  They also have Omega-3 fats, which are the “good” fats.
  • Coconut sugar:  Yes, sugar is sugar, but it is a better alternative sweetener – it has trace elements such as iron, zinc, and calcium.  Coconut sugar has a glycemic index of 35 (rather low), while table sugar is 60.  The glycemic index is “a system that ranks foods on a scale from 1 to 100 based on their effect on blood-sugar levels.”
  • Almonds:  Almonds are rich in healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and Vitamin E.  They have been shown to lower blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  • Himalayan salt:  It’s said to be one of the most beneficial and purest salt available in the world.   It has 84 minerals and trace elements – calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and iron.  Since table salt is very processed, its minerals are eliminated.

Enjoy!

Homemade Himalayan Sprinkled Chocolate Granola (DF, GF, & refined sugar-free)
Author: 
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Refined Sugar-free
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
 
Ingredients
  • 2½ cups gluten-free oats
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • ¼ sliced almonds (can be raw or lightly toasted)
  • 1½ tbsp coconut sugar
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
  • 3 tbsp chia seeds
  • ¼ cup grapeseed oil
  • ⅓ cup honey (for vegans, swap with maple syrup)
  • 2 tsp Himalayan salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
  2. Mix all ingredients together, and taste it (you might want to add more honey, chia seeds, etc).
  3. In parchment paper lined pan, press the granola evenly.
  4. Bake for 35-40 minutes. At the 30 minute mark, sprinkle some Himalayan salt on the granola, and continue baking.
  5. Let it cool for 20 minutes. Then, break it apart into smaller pieces.
  6. Put it in a glass jar!
Notes
If you like a really crunchy granola, spray some oil onto the granola, and move it to the top rack of the oven for around 3 minutes.

Sources

https://draxe.com/almonds-nutrition/ 

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/glycemic-index

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-sugar#section3

https://draxe.com/pink-himalayan-salt/

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